Running gear for vehicles



Oct. 6, 1964 J. P. FELBURN RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed June 22, 1959 INVENTOR. J. PHIL FELBURN BY 7% R tfo rneyOct. 6, 1964 J- P. FELBURN RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES Original Filed June22, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N 7. .R v N 3 m M N z B /M r mb a .1 .F i i 1M w J Y% QR w B. Q n M R 1 N QR S mu R R imww Q w E Oct. 6, 1964 J. P.FELBURN RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June22, 1959 INVENTOR. I J PHIL PH, 90/? BY fitforrey Ill" Oct. 6, 1964 J.P. FELBURN RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledJune 22, 1959 a INVENTOR.

1]. PHIL FEL BUR BY Wm i/ d flffbrr?! United States Patent 3,151,854RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES John Phil Felburn, 4169 W. Broad St.,Columbus, Ohio Original application June 22, 1959, Ser. No. 822,151.Divided and this application Aug. 2, 1962, Ser. No.

11 Claims. (Cl. 267-52) The present invention relates to vehicles, moreparticularly to running gear constructions for use with vehicles, andthe principal object of the invention is to provide new and improvedconstructions of such character. This application is a division ofapplication Serial No. 822,151, new Patent No. 3,080,161, filed June 22,1959, which application is a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 628,630,filed December 14, 1956, now abandoned.

In any vehicle, it is important that the axis about which a supportingwheel rotates be at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle(at least when the vehicle is traveling in a straight path) in orderthat the longitudinal axis of the vehicle be aligned with its path oftravel.

In vehicles of the type having tandem wheel suspensions; that is, invehicles having a pair of wheel carrying axles maintained in fixedangular relation with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, it isextremely important that such axles be positioned precisely inparallelism if undue tire wear is to be eliminated.

In certain prior art constructions, respective ends of these axles areheld in position by radius rods which extend from respective axleportions to the vehicle and which are adjustable in length to providefor adjustment of the angularity of each axle with the longitudinal axisof the vehicle. While these radius rods serve their intended function inholding the axle in position and providing for its adjustment, they arenot entirely satisfactory since, among other disadvantages, theyincrease the number of parts and add to the production cost of thevehicle.

In other prior art constructions, no provision is made for adjustment.of the angularity of the axle and while such constructions are desirablylow in cost, they are unsatisfactory because of their lack ofadjustability.

The present invention provides a foolproof, low cost constructionwherein an axle may be quickly and easily adjusted for proper alignment.These and other advantages of the present invention will readily becomeapparent from the following description and from the drawings appendedhereto.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part ofthis application there is shown, for

purpose of illustration an embodiment which the invention may assume,and in these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a broken side elevational View of a tractor-trailer unitembodying the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of thetrailer and its front axle, the Wheel on the near side being removed inthe interest of clarity,

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but taken along the longitudinalcenter line of the supporting spring to show the latter and other partsin section,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view generally corresponding to the line 4-4 ofFIGURE 2,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view generally corresponding to the line 55 ofFIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIGURE 2, but with the partsshown in another position of adjustment,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a trailer suspension,illustrating another embodiment of the invention, portions on the nearside being removed in the interest of clarity,

FIGURE 8 is a reduced side elevational view similar to FIGURE 7 butillustrating operation of the suspension when passing over an irregularroad surface,

FIGURE 9 is a reduced size, top plan view of the embodiment seen inFIGURES 7 and 8,

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view generallycorresponding to the line Ill-10 of FIGURE 7, and

FiGURE 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view generallycorresponding to the line 1111 of FIGURE 7.

While the present invention is hereinafter shown and described as beingapplied to a semi-trailer, it is to be understood that such use isillustrative only and that the invention may be applied to any othersuitable wheeled vehicle.

In FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a tractor-trailer unit comprising atractor 10 and a trailer 11. In this embod ment, trailer 11 is asemi-trailer; that is, the front end of the trailer rests upon and ispivotally supported by a fifth wheel structure 12 carried by the rear ofthe tractor. As herein shown, the rear of trailer 11 is supported byroad wheels arranged in tandem, such wheels presently comprising a frontset of wheels 13 and a rear set of wheels 14.

Wheel set 13 has an axle 15 and wheel set 14 has an axle 16,- such axlesextending transversely of the trailers longitudinal axis and beingspaced apart longitudinally thereof. In any conventional manner, eachaxle rotatably carries axially spaced wheels which are respectivelydisposed adjacent respective sides of the trailer. Each axle 15, 16 isherein shown to be connected to the frame 17 of the trailer by means ofleaf springs 18, it being understood that two springs are employed foreach axle and that one spring is disposed adjacent one side of thetrailer while the other is disposed adjacent the other side of thetrailer.

Each spring 18, see FIGURE 2, is formed of a plurality of leaves stackedone atop the other in the usual manner and the forward end 19 of each ofthe springs to which front axle 15 is secured is pivotally connected tothe frame 17 of the trailer by means of respective brackets 24] whichwill later be described in detail. As best shown in FIG- URE 3, themeans employed to hold the spring leaves together comprises a bolt 21which passes through aligned apertures leaves, A nut 22 is carried bybolt 21 to draw the respective spring leaves together. The portion ofeach spring leaf adjacent its aperture is, in the position of partsshown, provided with a depression in its upper surface and a dimple inits lower surface. The dimple of each spring leaf interfits with thedepression of the adjoining leaf immediately below to insure precisealignment of the various leaves. With this construction, bolt 21 isrelieved of all shearing stresses since any attempt by the leaves toslide relative to each other is immediately transmitted to a forcetending to separate the leaves. This force is thereupon transmitted tobolt 21 as a tension force.

For a purpose to be disclosed, a clip 23 is presently secured to the topof spring 18 by means of bolt 21, the clip being apertured and dimpledin the same manner and for the same purpose as the spring leaves. Clip23 is provided with upturned ends 24 which provide relatively closelyspaced abutments, or pockets, which are spaced longitudinally of thespring for a purpose to appear and each spring 18 is adapted to seatagainst the upper surface of a spring seat 25 which is preferably of thesame width as the spring and which is welded or otherwise secured toaxle 15.

Each spring seat 25 is recessed at (see FIGURE 3) to provide adequateclearance over nut 22 for a purpose to become clear and each spring isadapted to be drawn tightly upon its seat by means of a pair of U bolts26. As best seen in FIGURE 4, each U bolt comprises a pair Ice of legs27 joined together at o'ne end by a transversely extending portion 28.Legs 27 are spaced to straddle spring 18 and spring seat 25 and in thepresent embodiment, extending across the free ends of legs 27 in spacedrelation to portion 28 of each U bolt, is a round bar 29 havingapertures 33 for passing respective U bolt legs. The ends of each bar 2%are flattened at 31 (see also FIG- URE 2) to provide a fiat seat for anut 32 which is threaded upon each U bolt leg. The transverselyextending U bolt portion 28 and the bar 29 provide abutments spacedlongitudinally of each U bolt for a purpose to appear.

Each U bolt is adapted to be positioned with its transversely extendingportion 28 seated in the respective abutments provided by the upturnedend portions 24 of clip 23 and with its bar 29 seated in arcuatepockets, or abutments, 33 which are formed in the spring seat 25 and arerelatively widely spaced on opposite sides of axle 15. Note that withthe parts assembled as shown in FIGURE 2, one of the U bolts ispositioned in front of axle 15 whereby its lower portion inclines towardthe front of the trailer while the other is positioned behind the axlewhereby its lower portion inclines toward the rear of the trailer.

When the U bolts are tightened, it will be apparent that each will exerta force drawing the axle and the spring together; however, because ofthe inclination of the U bolts, the one on the left will also exert aforce tending to move the axle along the spring toward the rear of thetrailer while the U bolt on the right will exert a force tending to movethe axle along the spring toward the front of the trailer. With both Ubolts tightened, the rearwardly exerted force of one will be cancelledby the forwardly exerted force, of the other to thereupon maintain theaxle at a predetermined position along the spring.

' Assuming it is desired to shift the near side of axle 15 rearwardly,or to the right, from the position shown in full lines in FIGURE 6 inorder to properly position the axle with the longitudinal axis of thetrailer, it is only necessary to loosen the U bolt on the right andtighten the U bolt on the left. Tightening the U bolt on the left willexert a force tending to move the axle to the right along the spring andsince the U bolt on the right is loosened, there will be nothing tocounteract this force. Accordingly, the axle will be shifted from thedot-dash line position shown in FIGURE 6 to the full line positionshown. When the axle is positioned as desired, the U bolt on the rightwill be tightened to hold the axle in its adjusted position.

It will be noted that as the axle is shifted, the angularity of the Ubolts necessarily change both with respect to each other and with thevertical. In the present embodiment, this change of angularity isprovided for by permitting transverse portions 28, at one end of the Ubolts, to rotate in the respective pockets provided by clip 23 and bypermitting bars 29, at opposite ends of the U bolts, to rotate inrespective pockets 33 formed in spring seat 25.

It will be understood that to move the axle to the left, or toward thefront of the trailer, the U bolt on th left will first be loosened andthe U bolt on the right then tightened to shift the axle. It will alsobe understood that the far end of axle 15 is preferably secured to itsspring 18 by the same construction heretofore described and that thisfar end may also be adjustably positioned along its spring.

As previously mentioned, the front end 19 of each spring 18 whichcarries the front axle 15 is pivotally secured to the frame 17 of thetrailer by means of a bracket 20. Referring to FIGURE 3, the two topleaves of the front end of spring 18 are rolled back on themselves toprovide a tubular portion 34. Bracket 20 has a downwardly facing arcuatesurface 35 which is formed for complementary engagement with theupwardly facing exterior portion of the tubular spring portion 34. Notethat with this construction, the weight of the trailer is transmitteddirectly to the spring and not through a pivot pin as in prior artconstructions. Note also that the pocket provided by surface-35 is ofsufficient depth to maintain the tubular spring portion in positionlongitudinally of the trailer even under the impact of roadirregularities and the like which exert a force which tends to efiectmovement of the tubular spring portion longitudinally of the trailer.Accordingly, the present construction eliminates the problem of pivotpin breakage frequently encounterered in the past.

Normally, the weight of the trailer will keep tubular spring portions 34in the pocket provided by the arcuate surface 35; however, to insureagainst the possibility of the spring becoming dislodged during severerebound conditions, it is held in position by a bolt 36 which passesthrough the tubular spring portion 34 and through aligned apertures inspaced, depending ears 37 provided 'by bracket 26) (see also FIGURES 2and 5). These ears not only support bolt 36 but also confine the springagainst excessive movement in a direction axially of the bolt. In thepresent embodiment, rubber bushings 38 are interposed between bolt 36and the interior of tubular spring portion 34 to provide a resilientcushion therebetween.

Since the trailer herein disclosed has tandem axles, it is preferable toarrange the suspension whereby vertical movement of one axle in onedirection is transmitted to vertical movement of the other axle in theopposite direction. To this end, the rear ends of the springs whichcarry the front axle 15 are not secured directly to the frame of thetrailer but are engaged with one end of respective rock levers 39, orwalking beams, which are secured to the trailer for pivotal movementabout a horizontal axis. The other ends of rock levers 39 are connectedto the forward ends of the respective springs 18 which carry the rearaxle 16 by a construction which is similar to that employed with theforward ends of the springs which carry axle 15.

The construction employed for supporting the rear ends of springs 18 isnot shown in detail in the embodiment seen in FIGURES 1 through 6 sincea conventional construction may be employed. Briefly, the rear of eachspring 18 is substantially flat; that is, no tubular portion is providedas is at the front. This flat portion of each spring underlies and isslidably engaged with a suitable abutment through which the weight ofthe trailer is transmitted to the spring. In the case of the springswhich carry rear axle 16, the abutment which engages the rear of eachspring is provided by respective brackets 40 carried by the frame 17 ofthe trailer. In the case of the springs which carry the front axle 15,the abutments are carried by the front ends of respective rock levers39. In any event, the arrangement is such that the rear of each springmay slide relative to its abutment and in a direction longitud nally ofthe spring during vertical movement of the wheels in traveling over anuneven road surface and during flexure of the springs.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that in the present embodiment ofthe invention, the front end of each spring is located longitudinally ofthe trailer by means of an efiicient, novel construction and thatsimplified and effective means are employed to connect each axle to itssupporting springs whereby the axles may be easily adjusted to properlyposition them relative to the longitudinal axis of the trailer.

The embodiment of the invention seen in FIGURES 7 throughll is similarto that heretofore disclosed; accordingly, similar parts are identifiedby the same reference characters as before but with the suffix a added.

As illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 9, the semi-trailer fragmentarily showntherein has longitudinally extending frame members 40 in side by siderelation and to which the wheel suspension is secured. This wheelsuspension is similar to that heretofore disclosed in that it comprisesa front axle 15a having axially spaced-apart dual wheel sets 13adisposed on respective sides of the trailer and a rear axle 16a havingaxially spaced-apart dual wheel sets 14a also disposed on opposite sidesof the trailer. Each axle is adapted to be secured to the trailer bymeans of leaf springs 18a which are generally similar to thoseheretofore disclosed and, as before, two springs are employed for eachaxle, one being disposed on each side of the trailer. The intermediateportion of each leaf spring is adapted to be secured to its axle by anysuitable means such as, for example, the inclined U-bolt arrangementheretofore disclosed which provides for adjustment of the axlelongitudinally of the spring for alignment purposes.

The leading end of each forward spring 18a is pivotally secured to thetrailer by means of fabricated brackets 41 which depend from respectiveframe members 40. As best seen in FIGURE 10, each bracket is hereinshown to comprise a pair of spaced side plates 42 for receivingrespective spring ends therebetween. An arcuate plate 43 is weldedbetween the side plates to provide a downwardly facing curved surface35a which complementarily fits with the upwardly facing arcuate surfaceof the tubular portion 34a of the leading end of the spring. A bolt 36apasses through the tubular spring portion 34a and through alignedapertures in the bracket side plates 42 and functions in the same mannerand for the same purpose as bolt 36. Also, rubber bushings 38a or thelike are interposed between bolt 35a and the interior of tubular springportion 34a to provide a resilient cushion therebetween. Forstrengthening purposes, a cross piece 44 extends between and connectsbrackets 41 together (FIGURES 9 and As in the previously disclosedembodiment, the trailing end of a front spring 18a on one side of thetrailer and the leading end of a rear spring on such trailer side areengaged with respective ends of a rock lever 39a whose intermediateportion is pivoted to the trailer between the spring ends aforesaid. Asimilar construction, it will be understood, is employed on the otherside of the trailer.

Each rock lever 39a is presently a box section fabrication having sideplates 45 and upper and lower plates 46 and 47 all welded together toprovide an integral structure. Each rock lever has a sleeve-like member48 welded to its upper side to provide an upwardly facing arcuatesurface similar to that provided by tubular spring portion 34a. Eachrock lever 39a is disposed between spaced side plates 49 of respectivebrackets 50 secured to and depending from respective frame members 40.Each bracket has a portion providing a downwardly facing arcuate surface51 which complementarily engages with the upwardly facing arcuatesurface provided by respective sleeve-like members 48 to thus rotatablysupport respective rock levers. A bolt 52 extends through eachsleeve-like member 48 and through aligned apertures of respectivebracket side plates 44 to retain each rock lever assembled with itsbracket. A cross piece 53 extends between and connects brackets 50together for strengthening purposes.

The leading end of each rear spring 18a is preferably secured to therear of a respective adjoining rock lever by means of a constructionsimilar to that employed in securing the leading end of the frontsprings to the trailer. Accordingly, an arcuate plate 43 is weldedbetween the side plates 45 of each rock lever to provide a downwardlyfacing curved surface which complementarily fits with the upwardlyfacing arcuate surface of a tubular spring portion 34a of the leadingend of a respective rear The construction employed for securing thetrailing ends of the rear springs 18a to the trailer may be of thewell-known slip shackle type. As presently disclosed, the trailingportion of each rear spring is more or less straight, or slightly curvedas herein illustrated, and each slidably engages an abutment 54 providedby a respective bracket 55 depending from respective frame members 40.Each bracket 55 provides side plates between which a respective springis confined and a bolt or the like 56 extends between the side platesbeneath the trailing end of each spring to limit movement of the springend away from the abutment. A cross piece 57 extends between brackets 55for rigidity.

Turning now to the novel construction for connecting the trailing end ofeach front spring 18a to its respective rock lever 39a, it will be notedthat the forward end of the rock lever has an abutment 58 extendingbetween the lever side plates 45. At the present time, abutment 58 isgenerally rounded in cross-section but has a flattened underside whichrests upon and slidably engages the upper surface of the trailing end ofthe front spring. The trailer end of this spring is formed similar tothat of the rear spring; however, such trailing end is elongated and isdoubled back upon itself to provide U-shaped configuration 59 betweenthe legs of which is confined the abutment 58.

During movement of the trailer, it will be understood that the springs18 will flex, such fiexure causing elongation and contraction ofrespective springs. Since the position of the leading end of each frontspring is fixed longitudinally of the trailer by means of its pivotconnection with its bracket 41, the trailing ends of such springs willslide longitudinally beneath the abutment 58 of the rock lever. Asimilar sliding movement of the trailing ends of the rear springsbeneath abutments 54 of the brackets 55 will take place upon flexure ofthe rear springs.

During movement of the trailer over an uneven surface, vertical movementof the front wheels 13a in one direction will be transmitted to verticalmovement of the rear wheels 14a in the opposite direction because of therock lever connection between the front and rear springs. For example,and with reference to FIGURE 8, assume that the front wheels 13a havefallen into a depression during movement of the trailer. Downwardmovement of the front wheels will cause the trailing end of the frontspring to move down and, since rock lever abutment 58 is confinedbetween the legs provided by the U-shaped configuration 59 at thetrailing end of this spring, the rock lever will be rotated in acounterclockwise direction thus pulling the leading end of the rearspring and its attached rear wheels up. A reverse action will, ofcourse, occur when the front wheels strike a bump rather than adepression.

It is to be noted that the U-shaped configuration at the trailing endsof the front springs insures that each rock lever abutment 58 closelyfollows its spring end at all times because it is confined between theunderlying and overlying legs provided thereby. In addition, theU-shaped configuration serves yet another purpose. Since the bight ofthe U-shaped configuration is at the terminal end of its spring, suchbight forms a pocket which limits movement of the adjoining abutmentlongitudinally of the spring in a direction rearwardly thereof and thuslimits rotation of the attached rock lever. This then preventsdisengagement of the rock lever with the front spring, even underextremely rough road conditions at high speed, as sometime occurs withconventional suspension systems of a type somewhat similar to thatherein disclosed.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat I have accomplished at least the principal object of my inventionand it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that theembodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified,without departing from the spirit of the invention,

Z and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages notherein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that theherein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that myinvention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle, axle means extendingtransversely of said mounting means and secured to the latter foradjustment longitudinally thereof, and a pair of elongated fasteningmembers for securing said axle means to said mounting means and eachhaving spaced, relatively movable portions respectively having pivotalengagement with said mounting means and said axle means to provide forpivotal movement of each fastening member in a plane extendinglongitudinally of said mounting means, said fastening members beingdisposed with their axes at an angle with each other and normallypositioned with the axis of one inclined in one direction longitudinallyof said mounting means and with the axis of the other inclined in theopposite direction longitudinally of said mounting means whereby eachfastening member exterts a pull on said axle means both longitudinallyof said mounting means in the direction of its inclination and a pulldrawing said axle means and said mounting means together when itsportions aforesaid are moved toward each other, said axle means beingadjustable longitudinally of said mounting means by increasing thespacing between respective portions of one of said fastening members anddecreasing the spacing between respective portions of said otherfastening member.

2. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle and providing a first pair ofseats in fixed relation with said mounting means, axle means extendingtransversely of said mounting means and secured to the latter foradjustment longitudinally thereof and providing a second pair of seatsin fixed relation with said axle means and in spaced relation with saidfirst seat pair, and a pair of elongated fastening members for securingsaid axle means to said mounting means and each having spaced,relatively movable portions each of which is pivotally engaged with aseat of respective seat pairs to provide for pivotal movement of eachfastening member in a plane extending longitudinally of said mountingmeans, said fastening members being disposed with their axes at an anglewith each other and normally positioned with the axis of one inclined inone direction longitudinally of said mounting means and with the axis ofthe other inclined in the opposite direction longitudinally of saidmounting means whereby each fastening member exerts a pull on said axlemeans both longitudinally of said mounting means in the direction of itsinclination and a pull drawing said axle means and said mounting meanstogether When its portions aforesaid are moved toward each other, saidaxle means being adjustable longitudinally of said mounting means byincreasing the spacing between respective portions of one of saidfastening members and decreasing the spacing between respective portionsof said other fastening member.

3. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle and providing a first pair ofseats spaced-apart longitudinally of and in fixed relation with saidmounting means, axle means extending transversely of said mounting meansand secured to the latter for adjustment longitudinally thereof andproviding a second pair of seats in fixed relation with said axle meansand in spaced relation with said first seat pair and also spaced-apartlongitudinally of said mounting means, and a pair of elongated fasteningmembers for securing said axle means to said mounting means and eachhaving spaced, relatively movable portions each of which is pivotallyengaged with a seat of respective seat pairs to provide for pivotalmovement of each fastening member in a plane extending longitudinally ofsaid mounting means, the seats of one of said seat pairs beingspaced-apart a greater distance than the seats of saidother seat pairfor positioning said fastening members with their axes at an angle witheach other and said fastening members normally being positioned with theaxis of one inclined in one direction longitudinally of said mountingmeans and with the axis of the other inclined in the opposite directionlongitudinally of said mounting means whereby each fastening memberexerts a pull on said axle means both longitudinally of said mountingmeans in the direction of its inclination and a pull drawing said axlemeans and said mounting means together when its portions aforesaid aremoved toward each other, said axle means being adjustable longitudinallyof said mounting means by increasing the spacing between respectiveportions of one of said fastening members and decreasing the spacingbetween respective portions of said other fastening member.

4. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle and providing a first pair ofseats spaced-apart longitudinally of and in fixed relation with saidmounting means, axle means extending transversely of said mounting meansand secured to the latter for adjustment longitudinally thereof andproviding a second pair of seats in fixed relation with said axle meansand in spaced relation with said first pair and also spaced-apartlongitudinally of said mounting means, and a pair of elongated fasteningmembers for securing said axle means to said mounting means and eachhaving spaced, relatively movable portions each of which is pivotallyengaged with a seat of respective seat pairs to provide for pivotalmovement of each fastening member in a plane extending longitudinally ofsaid mounting means, the seats of one of said seat pairs beingspaced-apart a greater distance than the seats of said other seat pairfor positioning said fastening members with their axes at an angle witheach other and one of said fastening members being disposed in front ofsaid axle means and the other being disposed behind said axle means,said fastening members normally being positioned with the axis of oneinclined toward the front of the vehicle and with the. axis of the otherinclined toward the rear of the vehicle whereby each fastening memberexerts a pull on said axle means both longitudinally of said mountingmeans in the direction of its inclination and a pull drawing said axlemeans and said mounting means together when its portions aforesaid aremoved toward each other, said axle means being adjustable longitudinallyof said mounting means by increas ing the spacing between respectiveportions of one of said fastening members and decreasing the spacingbetween respective portions of said other fastening member.

5. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle, axle means extendingtransversely of said mounting means and secured to the latter foradjustment longitudinally thereof, and a pair of fastening members forsecuring said axle means to said mounting means and each having a pairof spaced-apart, generally parallel legs and each having spaced,relatively movable portions respectively having pivotal engagement withsaid mounting means and said axle means to provide for pivotal movementof each fastening member in a plane extending longitudinally of saidmounting means, the legs of respective fastening members straddling aportion of said mounting means and the legs of one fastening memberbeing disposed in front of said axle means and the legs of the otherbeing disposed behind said axle means and at an angle with respect tothe legs of said one fastening member, said fastening members normallybeing positioned with the legs of one inclined toward the front of thevehicle and with the legs of the other inclined toward the rear of thevehicle whereby each fastening member exerts a pull on said axle meansboth longitudinally of said mounting means in the direction of itsinclination and a pull drawing said axle means and said mounting meanstogether when its portions aforesaid are moved toward each other, saidaxle means being adjustable longitudinally of said mounting means byincreasing the spacing between respective portions of one of saidfastening members and decreasing the spacing between respective portionsof said other fastening member.

6. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising mounting meansextending longitudinally of the vehicle and providing a first pair ofseats space-apart longitudinally of and in fixed relation with saidmounting means, axle means extending transversely of said mounting meansand secured to the latter for adjustment longitudinally thereof andproviding a second pair of seats in fixed relation with said axle meansand in spaced relation with said first pair and also spaced-apartlongitudinally of said mounting means, and a pair of U bolts forsecuring said axle means to said mounting means and each having a pairof spaced-apart, generally parallel legs joined together at one end by abight portion and each also having a transversely extending portionmovable toward and away from its bight portion to vary the spacingtherebetween, the portions aforesaid of each U bolt respectively havingpivotal engagement with a seat of respective seat pairs to provide forpivotal movement of each U bolt in a plane extending longitudinally ofsaid mounting means, the seats of one of said seat pairs beingspaced-apart a greater distance than the seats of said other seat pairfor positioning said U bolts at an angle with each other and one of saidU bolts being disposed in front of said axle means and the other beingdisposed behind said axle means with the legs of respective U boltsstraddling a portion of said mounting means, said U bolts normally beingpositioned with the legs of one inclined toward the front of the vehicleand with the legs of the other inclined toward the rear of the vehiclewhereby each U bolt exerts a pull on said axle means both lon itudinallyof said mounting means in the direction of its inclination and a pulldrawing said axle means and said mounting means together when itsportions aforesaid are moved toward each other, said axle means beingadjustable longitudinally of said mounting means by increasing thespacing between respective portions of one of said U bolts anddecreasing the spacing between respective portions of said other U bolt.

7. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising an elongated resilientmember extending longitudinally of the vehicle and having respectiveends connected thereto, axles means extending transversely of saidresilient member and secured to the latter for adjustment longitudinally thereof, and a pair of elongated fastening members for securing saidaxle means to said resilient member and having spaced, relativelymovable portions respectively having pivotal engagement with saidresilient member and said axle means to provide for pivotal movement ofeach fastening member in a plane extending longitudinally of saidresilient member, said fastening members being disposed with their axesat an angle with each other and normally positioned with the axis of oneinclined in one direction longitudinally of said resilient member andwith the axis of the other inclined in the opposite directionlongitudinally of said resilient member whereby each 19 fastening memberexerts a pull on said axle means both longitudinally of said resilientmember in the direction of its inclination and a pull drawing said axlemeans and said resilient member together when its portions aforesaid aremoved toward each other, said axle means being adjustable longitudinallyof said resilient member by increasing the spacing between respectiveportions of one of said fastening members and decreasing the spacingbetween respective portions of said other fastening member.

8. Running gear for wheeled vehicles, comprising a leaf spring extendingin normal manner longitudinally of the vehicle, an axle extendingtransversely of said leaf spring and secured to the latter foradjustment longitudinally thereof, and a pair of U-bolts for securingsaid axle to said leaf spring, one U-bolt being disposed ahead of theaxle and the other to the rear of the axle, each U- bolt encircling saidleaf spring with its bight bearing against the upper surface of saidleaf spring and its legs along opposite sides of said leaf spring, aclamping member between the free ends of the legs of each U-bolt andnuts on said free ends for firmly holding said clamping member againstthe lower surface of said leaf spring, the legs of respective U-boltsextending in diverging relation from their bights and at an angle to avertical line normal to said leaf spring, the bight and clamping memberof each U-oolt having pivotal movement at the upper and lower springsurfaces, respectively, whereby said axle is adjusted along said leafspring by loosening the nuts on one U-bolt and tightening the nuts onthe other U-bolt.

9. The construction of claim 8 wherein said leaf spring is composed of aplurality of overlying leaves and a bolt and nut connection is providedto hold said leaves assembled, said bolt having a head bearing againstthe upper surface of the upper leaf and the nut bearing against thelower surface of the lower leaf, and a bolt shank extending throughaligned apertures in said leaves, said bolt and nut connection beinglocated between said U-bolts.

10. The construction of claim 9 wherein each leaf is formed with adimpled portion surrounding its aperture to form a recess on one sideand a projection on the other, the projections and recesses being heldin interfitting relation by the drawing action of the bolt and nutconnection to relieve said bolt of shearing stresses.

11. The construction of claim 9 wherein a clip is clamped between thebolt head and the upper surface of the upper leaf, said clip havingspaced pockets for pivotal 1y receiving the bights of respectiveU-bolts, and wherein a seat member is rigidly secured to said axle andbears against the lower surface of the lower leaf, said seat memberhaving spaced pockets for pivotally receiving the clamping members ofrespective U-bolts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS772,284 Lukens Oct. 11, 1904 1,255,997 Evans Feb. 12, 1918 1,671,668Cattoi May 29, 1928 1,869,132 Chilton July 26, 1932 1,871,981 Geyer Aug.16, 1932 1,876,924 Hastings et al Sept. 13, 1932 2,678,819 Douglass May18, 1954 2,745,661 Van Raden May 15, 1956

8. RUNNING GEAR FOR WHEELED VEHICLES, COMPRISING A LEAF SPRING EXTENDINGIN NORMAL MANNER LONGITUDINALLY OF THE VEHICLE, AN AXLE EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY OF SAID LEAF SPRING AND SECURED TO THE LATTER FORADJUSTMENT LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND A PAIR OF U-BOLTS FOR SECURINGSAID AXLE TO SAID LEAF SPRING, ONE U-BOLT BEING DISPOSED AHEAD OF THEAXLE AND THE OTHER TO THE REAR OF THE AXLE, EACH UBOLT ENCIRCLING SAIDLEAF SPRING WITH ITS BIGHT BEARING AGAINST THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAIDLEAF SPRING AND ITS LEGS ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID LEAF SPRING, ACLAMPING MEMBER BETWEEN THE FREE ENDS OF THE LEGS OF EACH U-BOLT ANDNUTS ON SAID FREE ENDS FOR FIRMLY HOLDING SAID CLAMPING MEMBER AGAINSTTHE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID LEAF SPRING, THE LEGS OF RESPECTIVE U-BOLTSEXTENDING IN DIVERGING RELATION